Microsoft Invented the iPod?

[Iron Orta]

This maybe be of interest to all you ipod owners out there and the many people that plan to buy an ipod in the near future.

Originally Posted by TeamXbox

Shocking news and a new chapter in the digital music wars. The United States Patent and Trademark Office has rejected a March 2004 patent application by Apple Computer for the iPod.
Apple's patent for a "graphical user interface and methods of use thereof in a multimedia player" was rejected last month and the patent examiner cited in the ruling an earlier application by Microsoft, filed after the iPod was introduced but before Apple sought its own patent.

"It's incredibly embarrassing," said industry analyst Rob Enderle. "That just makes it look like someone at Apple wasn't on the ball in terms of filing the patent at the right time."

Natalie Kerris, Apple spokeswoman, said the company invented and publicly released the iPod interface before the Microsoft patent application,
as cited by USPTO in its ruling.

"Apple has received many patents for inventions related to iPod, and has many more patents pending," Kerris said. "The U.S. patent process is often a lengthy one, involving much back and forth with the U.S. patent office. Apple will continue to pursue this patent application, as well as the many others covering iPod innovations."

Microsoft has stated that they don’t have any plans to block iPod sales. David Kaefer, Business Development Director for Microsoft's Intellectual Property and Licensing Group said:

"We have a long-standing practice of licensing things to Apple and licensing Apple's patents to use in our products. Our approach is to recognize that, frankly, we're both mutually dependent on the good ideas of one another."

The patent is discussion is the one John C Platt, a Microsoft employee, filed on behalf of the software giant for a “system for automatically generating music playlists based on one or more seed songs selected by a user.” The invention by Platt was called “Auto DJ”. This patent does not affect the clickwheel featured in the iPod.


xPod 360?

Although this patent doesn’t affect the right for Apple to sell the iPod, Apple might have to pay Microsoft royalties for every iPod it sells. More interesting, Microsoft could sell its own iPod variation as long as it does not infringe in any patent granted to Apple. Lawyers could also reach an agreement between both companies so Microsoft could use Apple patents and vice versa.

Earlier this year, Microsoft tapped Robbie Bach, Chief Xbox Officer and Senior Vice President of the Home and Entertainment Division, to revamp the company's digital-music strategy and compete better with Apple and its iPod, iTunes music service.

This may also work in the 360s favour as the 360 allows peripherals such as the ipod to be used with the console. Is this a slip up by apple or a clever move by M$?

[syklone]

I saw this on hardocp.com It will never hold up. We're talking windows versus Mac here. Sorry, but MS is trying to be arrogant again as the monoply giant it is.

[TurkeyRap]

Theres no way microsoft invented the iPod. The iPod works on the 360 and so does a PSP (which is Sony and Apple 2 rivials.) That doesn't mean Microsoft invented the iPod.

[Iron Orta]

Originally Posted by TurkeyRap

Theres no way microsoft invented the iPod. The iPod works on the 360 and so does a PSP (which is Sony and Apple 2 rivials.) That doesn't mean Microsoft invented the iPod.

It doesnt say that, read the article.

Its refering to this patent -

The patent is discussion is the one John C Platt, a Microsoft employee, filed on behalf of the software giant for a “system for automatically generating music playlists based on one or more seed songs selected by a user.” The invention by Platt was called “Auto DJ”. This patent does not affect the clickwheel featured in the iPod.

[Father Campfire]

Originally Posted by syklone

I saw this on hardocp.com It will never hold up. We're talking windows versus Mac here. Sorry, but MS is trying to be arrogant again as the monoply giant it is.

How are microsoft being arrogant? Because an employee filed a paitent for his idea before apple did makes microsoft arrogant? Did you actually read that, it doesn't say microsoft are trying to stop sales of the ipod, or trying to claim that they invented the ipod in this anywhere. All it has to do with is this

The patent is discussion is the one John C Platt, a Microsoft employee, filed on behalf of the software giant for a “system for automatically generating music playlists based on one or more seed songs selected by a user.” The invention by Platt was called “Auto DJ”. This patent does not affect the clickwheel featured in the iPod.

Can't see any logic in your statement other than you being a someone who hates microsoft.

[syklone]

I never sayed i hated microsoft, especially if i am buying a ****ing 360. Ok watever, It's just that couldn't it be coincidental that two people invent the same thing? Randomly putting songs on a list isnt hard to script.

[Jeet]

Originally Posted by syklone

I never sayed i hated microsoft, especially if i am buying a ****ing 360. Ok watever, It's just that couldn't it be coincidental that two people invent the same thing? Randomly putting songs on a list isnt hard to script.

actually link history repeats itself
EDIT:sorry i didnt see the nt in isnt till i read it a second time around my apoligies